Pfizer’s Big Bet On Arena Pays Off With First Phase III Win For Etrasimod In UC

Pfizer Inc.’s $6.7bn bet on Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. appears to be paying off after the pharma giant reported on 23 March that the S1P receptor modulator etrasimod met the primary and all of the secondary endpoints in the first of two important Phase III clinical trials in ulcerative colitis. Results from a second, longer Phase III trial should soon follow, since Pfizer said they will be available by the end of the first quarter.

The primary endpoint in the ELEVATE 12 study was clinical remission at 12 weeks versus placebo, but the company’s top-line report saved any detailed results for future scientific publication and presentation. ELEVATE 12 and results from the 52-week ELEVATE 52 trial that are due in the next week will form the basis of future regulatory filings